Local man accused of being Sean Combs’ drug ‘mule’

MIAMI (WJW) — A federal lawsuit names a Northeast Ohio man as rapper Sean Combs ‘ drug “mule.”

In the 73-page lawsuit filed last month in federal court, Brendan Paul, 25, is named as someone who “Works as Mr. Combs Mule. He acquires, and distributes, Mr. Combs Drugs, and Guns.”

Paul is also accused in the lawsuit of “ensuring payment to sex workers in cash.”

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of artist and record producer Rodney Jones, who also goes by the name Lil Rod.

About Brendan Paul

Pictures in the lawsuit show Paul with Combs. One of the pictures is posted on Paul’s Facebook page.

According to his Facebook bio, he is from Shaker Heights . The New York Post reports he currently lives with his parents in Chagrin Falls .

He played basketball at Syracuse and his online bio shows he attended Hawken High School.

Sean Combs at Center of Sex Trafficking Investigation

Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were searched Monday as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.

A lawyer for Combs said the search of his properties were “a gross use of military-level force.”

The criminal investigation is a major escalation in the scrutiny of the hugely influential hip-hop producer and executive. Combs has been the defendant in several sexual abuse lawsuits in recent months. The statement says Combs is innocent and will continue to fight to clear his name.

Brendan Paul Arrested

Paul was arrested Monday around the same time federal authorities were raiding Combs’ homes.

According to FOX affiliate WSVN in Miami, Paul was charged with one count of possession of suspected cocaine and another of possession of suspected marijuana candy after federal agents intercepted Combs’ plane at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.

According to TMZ , the drugs were found inside Paul’s travel bags.

Paul was booked into jail Monday night. He posted bond and was released Tuesday morning.

Inside Rodney Jones’ Lawsuit

In Jones’ lawsuit, he said he lived with Combs for months at a time between September 2022 and November 2023. He said he produced nine songs on Combs’ “Love” album during that time.

The suit claims he “witnessed, experienced, and endured many things that went far beyond his role as a Producer on the Love album.” The suit said Jones has hundreds of hours of video and audio recordings of Combs, his staff, and his guests engaging in “serious illegal activity.”

Aside from drugs and guns, other claims made by Jones in the lawsuit include Combs providing alcoholic beverages to minors and sex workers, an unnamed rapper “consorting” with underaged girls and sex workers, and an unnamed R&B singer “consorting” with underaged girls and sex workers.

Jones also claims he was sexually harassed and assaulted by actor Cuba Gooding Jr. and by a cousin of Yung Miami, Comb’s on-again-off-again girlfriend.

Brendan Paul in the Lawsuit

Brendan Paul is named 17 times in the lawsuit.

Aside from providing guns, drugs and making payment to sex workers, Jones claims Paul benefited financially and with gifts for participating in Combs’ alleged sex-trafficking venture.

FOX 8 reached out to Paul for comment, but have not yet received a response. Paul’s attorney tells FOX 8 , “We do not plan on trying this case in the media – all issues will be dealt with in Court.”

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